Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024
318. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what funding and supports are available to students studying psychotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20946/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
Not all courses are eligible for funding. As the Deputy has not specified a specific course I would encourage any student to check the institution and course they wish to study to see whether it is eligible for support on SUSI's website Approved Courses | SUSI.
I would also encourage students to discuss with the institution they plan on attending whether there are specific supports that may assist a student.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
The rent tax credit may also be of assistance to students this is increasing to €750 per individual and €1,500 per jointly assessed couple for 2024 and 2025.
